The botanical garden is just as I remember,
although it is certain that everything
has changed since my last visit.

How many hilarious questions these fuzzy
fiddleheads are inquiring of spring
will be answered as green ferns unfurl?

Walking the path, I stop to pick up
bleached bark from a tree, curled into
a scroll of ancient wisdom I am unable to read.

Even in my dreams I’m hiking
these mountain trails expecting to find a rock
that nature has shaped to remind me of a heart.
~ Harryette Mullen, From Tanka Diary

It’s time for the Saluda Arts Festival, all day Saturday. Every year, this is one of my favorite Saluda events: a laid-back fun day, people smiling and strolling through artists’ booths, enjoying art, craft, and good music. Shops, restaurants, and artists will be all glad to see you. There’ll also be local fare available you can take and enjoy at the park. I hope to see you there: I’ll have my sun hat on, strolling along, enjoying all the art too!
Over the past three weeks, electronic devices kept dying around here. The television decided to give up the ghost first of all. OK, I thought, I can live without you. I still haven’t gotten the thing moved out yet: it takes two people to carry it. (River dog said HE wasn’t hauling it.) However, I’m starting to miss that talking box a little – especially for Netflix movies. Today, the printer quit. What is with this: is there a curse on electronic stuff around here? Is the laptop next? Is there a strike going on that I don’t know about?
​Saluda Welcome Table is every Tuesday, with dinner served from 5:30-7 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Saluda United Methodist Church. All welcome; donations accepted.
Saluda Tailgate Market is now open every Friday starting at 4:30 p.m. at the city parking lot off Main Street.
Saluda Community Land Trust can help you utilize dying or dead hemlocks by getting logs made into fence rails, etc., and will appreciate your volunteering or donations. Visit saludaclt.org for more info or call 828-749-1560.
Art Notes: Come enjoy our Saluda Arts Festival on May 17. Live music, art, and fun in our small town with a big heart! The Dancer’s Extension will have a spring concert, 11 a.m., Saluda School auditorium.
Saluda Small Town Main Street monthly meeting are the third Thursday of the month, 9 a.m., Saluda Library. The next meeting is May 20; a meet and greet, update/future of McCreery Park is May 22, 6 p.m. at Saluda Fire Department.
The next Top of the Grade Concert is May 23 with Phil and Gaye Johnson, at the new Ella Grace Mintz Stage (located at McCreery Park) which was graciously funded and built by the Don Mintz family in memory of Ella Grace Mintz, infant daughter of Sean and Shena Mintz, who died from a rare kidney disease. What a wonderful way to remember Ella Grace.
There’ll be a community potluck and bingo, Saluda Center, May 26 at 6 p.m.
Happy May Birthday to Amy Copeland, Corinne Gerwe, Chris Anderson, Mark Jackson, Cary Pace, Lisa Hipp, Trevor Young, Jemme Latell, Paul Marion, Jesse Thomas, Margaret Sease, Elizabeth Baldwin, Chad Baldwin, and Lynn Cass. Please add your name to the list!
Thank you dear readers, for reading this column!  As ever, the goal is to make you feel like you’re enjoying a front porch visit and small town life in a friendly little mountain town called Saluda. You can contact me at bbardos@gmail.com; or 749-1153, visit my website at bonniebardos.com for more writing and art, or find me on facebook.